Mighty Girl featured me as part of their Mighty Closet project. It was fun to work with Maggie. In setting aside clothes for the photo shoot I realized how much cute stuff I own. We didn’t even get to coats, jackets or boots!

Maggie is a great photographer so head over to Mighty Girl and check it out. Mabel and Moxie totally stole the show btw.

Recently I wore a pair of shoes for the second and final time. I fell on my way out of the dentist and hit the sidewalk so hard that my eyes teared up. I took the shoes off, got up and walked two blocks to Union Square in my socks. At Macy’s I rode the escalator in my stocking feet up to the fourth floor where I bought a pair of hot pink Chuck Taylors, low-top.

When recounting my fall to my husband (who barely let me get past the part about hitting the sidewalk at full-force and straining my neck), he interrupted and asked:

“Were they sale shoes?”

When spoken, it sounds as if the shoes are nautical — maybe white canvas or Topsiders, something with a light sole that won’t scar sailboat decks. When read on the page it is obvious that these shoes were purchased at discount. They are sale shoes. Ted knew the signs immediately. I bought a pair of shoes I otherwise wouldn’t have purchased because they were cheap, and I made up the difference in price with bodily injury. I wouldn’t pay full price for shoes I can’t walk in, but for that price — I’ll learn to walk in them.

Sale shoes are never what you want them to be. They’re pinchy or too wide. They have a tacky buckle that you’re going to cut off some day or they’re perfect except they’re purple. Years ago my husband owned a pair of yellow Adidas with red accents. No one walks into a store looking for yellow and red retro trainers but someone who likes a bargain will leave the shop with a pair. I’m not judging. But one night we were at a party and a guy pointed to Ted and asked if he was wearing his sale shoes.

One pair of my sale shoes was a teal-colored felt wedge with a sweetheart peep-toe. Felt! Also purchased on sale: the could-be stripper shoes. They are pink and white patent spectator pumps in a Mary Jane style with spike heels. Are they naughty or are they nice? They are confusing and uncomfortable. A pair of geometric-soled platform sandals were too tight but the box they came in is the perfect fit for our extra juice glasses. You’d think I’d learn, but when the pair of three inch wedges from my favorite brand popped up on the sales rack, I bit.

Three-inch heels are really getting up there for a woman who’s feet are all of eight inches long. That’s a Size 7. The most worn pair of shoes in my wardrobe has a 2 inch heel and that missing inch is crucial for walkability. Ankle straps increase stability but these latest sale shoes have no such safety devices. I thought brand loyalty could get me over the 3 inch hump to being One Of Those Girls in high heels. Instead I got a bruised knee.

When shoes fit and look fabulous, I wear them often. The shoes I have gotten the most value from are the shoes that I have worn until extinction. My sales shoes are all relatively new-looking, mocking me from the closet until I finally admit they’re never going to happen and give them to charity. This latest pair were so snazzy I sold them at Buffalo Exchange for close to cost. Who knows, maybe they were purchased by One Of Those Girls in heels. Or maybe some Size 7 is cursing having wasted money on a pair of barely worn black wedges.

Women’s Wear Daily got the scoop on the hat Aretha Franklin wore for her performance during the inauguration. She bought it at the Detroit shop of milliner Luke Song, where she is a regular costumer. The hats are sold with the label Mr. Song Millinery in New York, California and the South.

Shootie — A combo shoe/bootie. I sort of hate the term but shooties are big this season, probably the top footwear trend for women. I’m loving the gray suede on this pair, they remind me of a pair of gray fold-down ankle boots I wore circa 1986 and ruined in the snow.

I’m seeing lots of metallic leather on the horizon. Target’s high/low accessories line by Botkier has a range of gold leather products, including this clutch. I think it makes a great evening bag. I have no idea about the quality, although cheap bags are usually cheaply made. This bag fits my ethos of spending less on special-occasion items and more on well-made staples.

Coach has a new line of bags called Zoe. My favorite is pictured above. If I were in the market for a new bag I’d buy this one. It’s a good size and has solid hardware. And the color! It would look good with warmer brown toes or an all-black ensemble. Gorgeous.

Metallic leathers are making their way into other accessories. This belt from Banana Republic would look great with wide-legged wool trousers or atop a blouse or cardigan. My honey gave me a gold leather wallet for my birthday (with pink polka-dot lining!) and I feel fancy and grown up carrying it.

I love it when people ask for fashion advice. Dear reader Angela wrote in with a footwear crisis:

I am going to Bermuda next week and am renting a scooter to get around. I need to find some shoes (pronto, so Zappos would be ideal) that are sturdy enough for biking around, but also cute enough that I can to drop into places for lunch and not feel dumb, like I would in sneakers or flip-flops. I would prefer open-toe to show off my pedi, but that’s not 100% necessary. My color preference is boring black, but I am open to other options.

Anything I can do to end the rule of flip-flops, Angela! Flops are great on the beach but like you I find them too casual for much else.

Basic black sometimes looks too hard with resort wear unless you’re wearing all black. And if you’re in the sun I hope you’ve opted for some light fabrics and color. These polka-dot flats from Privo are neutral and would look great with a tan leg. I especially like the penny detail on the heel. They also come in black if you insist. Privo makes sturdy, stylish walking shoes as I’ve posted previously.

Gladiator sandals are all the rage these days. This pair from Jeffrey Campbell strikes a good balance between sandal and costume.

These silver peep-toe flats would look great with Bermuda shorts, short-shorts or a sundress. I’m a Puma fan and these peep-toe sneaks are adorable; I like the black and the almond. If you’re looking for more of an open-toe shoe, these T-strap flats are only $40. I would probably ditch that flower charm but who knows, resort wear can take a lot of whimsy without being too precious.

I bought these shoes the other day. They were described as athleisure. I previously labeled this sort of sneaker/shoe as a hybrid. A quick internet search tells me that athleisure may be catching on in the industry. I’m not sure if I like it. It sort of smells like advertorial.

Dude. Seriously. You can create your own Chuck Taylors! Head on over to the Converse One website and trick out a pair. I am pondering a pair of the high hi-tops. A woman at school was wearing a pair of sequined Chucks. OMG.

I have a history with Chuck Taylors. When I was 10 years old I bought two pairs, one pink and one purple. Sometimes I wore one of each. In middle school I got a pair of hi-tops that were designed to fold down at the ankle but could be laced up the calf. In high school I went through a phase of not wearing leather (a genius idea in winter) and I had a pair of blue hi-top Chucks that I scribbled on. You know, anarchy symbols and Smiths lyrics about how meat is murder. Stuff like that.